Truss-bridge



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- J. WALL.

l Truss` Bridge. N0.241,7`63. Patented May 17,1881.

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N. PETERS, PhMQ-Ulhmphlh Wuhingbn. D. C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. i

JONATHAN WALL, OF OIROLEVILLE, OHIO.

TRUSS-BRIDGE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 241,763, dated May 17, 1881.

Application filed November 24, 1880. (No model.)

1'0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known thatI, JONATHAN WALL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Oircleville, in the county of Pickaway and State of Ohio,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Truss-Bridges; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description ofthe invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it applies to make and use the same.

My invention relates to an improvement in the connections of such bridges as are composed of upper andlower chords, diagonals, and upright posts, and is designed t-o avoid the trouble of uneven lengths of members.

The usual way of connecting the horizontals, diagonals, and perpendiculars was bypassing an iron pin through the eyes or eye-bars ot' the horizontals, diagonals, and perpendiculars of the bridge, and thus securing them. The difficultyin securing such connections is that there is no adjustment, and when the melnbers are not of equal length or in harmony there is greater strain on some of the members than on others, and the bridge is thereby weakened and the members are often broken. I overcome these difficulties, and at the same time facilitate the construction of bridges, by connecting the horizontals, diagonal ties, and the perpendicnlars by a pin in the upper or lower chords, or between them, said pin having eccentrics. These eccentrics have different cen` ters, and said pin may be used in the top chords, bottom chords, or between the top and bottom chords, and if by inaccurate workmanship the members are of unequal length, said eccentrics will revolve said pin so as to bring' the members to bearings, thus harmonizing the strains in theidifferent members. The eccentric-pin. may be turned by its connection with the posts and main diagonals, or a pin with eccentrics may be used atan intermediate part of a member, between the top and bottom chords.

'Ihe eccentric-pin may be made by cutting the eccentric into the body of the pin or by reducing the body of the pin below the eccentric, or be made in two pieces and perma nently fastened together by keys and upon the pm.

By the use of this device there are advantages in the process of building, for the eccentric-pin can be turned in position so that the ties can be put on and assist in making the connections.

In the accompanyingdrawings,formingpart of this specification, Figure 1 represents aview of a truss. D represents the lower and A the upper chords. B is a strut, and O (l are eyebars. 1c n represent the eccentricbolts in the upper and lower chords.

Fig. 2 is a section taken through the upper chord at f (1 in Fig. l. `A represents a chord, B a strut, O O eye-bars, and m u the .eccentricbolt.

Fig. 3 represents the eccentric-bolt, m n being the eccentrics.

. l do not limit lnyself to the form ot' pin with eccentrics shown in Fig. 3, for many similar ways will readily suggest themselves.

I do not lay claim to the horizontals, ydiagonals, or perpendiculars, or to eccentrics that are not fastened to the pin, or eccentrics used for counterbracing, as I am aware they are old.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, -is

A pin with eccentrics attached and made fast to the pin, substantially as and for the purpose described.

JONATHAN WALL.

Witnesses H. F. GUERIN, J AsoN W. FIREsToNE. 

